Apparatus for compressing vapors in the distillation of a rotary conical film



NOV- 1, 1966 R. A. TIDBALL 3,282,798

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSNG VAPORS IN THE DISTILLATON OF A ROTARY CONICAL FILM Filed Jan. 50. 1963 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. T/DBALL BY @JAM/ZK 5M AT T ORNE y United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING VAPORS IN THE DISTILLATION F A ROTARY CONICAL FILM Robert A. Tidhall, Swarthmore, Pa., assigner to Baldwin- Lima-Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 30, 1963, Ser. No.. 254,987 9 Claims. (Cl. 202-236) In general, this invention relates to a new and improved distillation apparatus, 'and more particularly, to a compression distillation apparatus adapted to convert human wastes to potable `water under zero gravity conditions.

In this space age it is to be expected that problems will arise in the furbishing of space craft and space stations with regard to the supply of water for possible passengers therein. Therefore, it would be extremely desirable to utilize the human wastes of the passengers so that they can be converted into potable water. However, this conversion process and apparatus must meet severe criteria. That is, the apparatus cannot consume a great deal of power in the conversion process. In fact, a present `standard would be the conversion of four gallons of water for evary 500 watts of power supplied to the apparatus.

Additionally, the zero gravity conditions under which the apparatus must operate raise certain problems with regard to distillation apparatus. No-rmally, distillation -apparatus on the earth utilizes the buoyancy principle to separate vapor from droplets of water. Additionally, the lighter vapor will normally rise so that it can be transferred to a different part of the apparatus for condensation purposes. Under zero gravity conditions, this is not possible. The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to obviate the need for gravity at any point in its operation with minimal expenditure of power to complete the distilling process.

Therefore, it is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other diiiiculties of the prior art practices lby the provision of a new and better distillation apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and better compression distillation device for converting human wastes to potable water under zero gravity conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a better compression distillation device which will operate with a minimum power input.

A still further object of this invention is to provide :a better and more inexpensive compression distillation device which utilizes centrifugal forces to separate droplets from water vapor.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved compression distillation device in which the evaporator, compressor, brine pump and product pump are combined within one housing and with one drive.

Other objects will lappear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrati-ng the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawing, there is shown -the compression distillation device of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10.

The compression distillation device 10 consists of an outer stationary housing 12 through which passes a main drive shaft 14. The shaft 14 is suitably sealed by rotary seals 16 so that liquid within the housing cannot pass through the shaft opening.

The shaft 14 has an enlarged extension 18 on which are mou-nted integral compressor blades 20. The comp ICC presser blades 20 are equally spaced about the enlarged portion 18 and are located within a compressor housing portion 22 of t-he main housing 12.

The enlarged portion 18 of the shaft 14 has an integral tubular extension 24 which extends into the center of the housing 12. The tubular extension 24 is m-ounted on suitable bearings secured to the housing 12 for rotation with respect thereto.

Additionally, there is provided a circular plate 26 integral with and perpendicular to the axis of the tubular extension 24. Plate 26 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the housing 12. There is provided, spaced from and parallel t-o the plate 26, an annular ange 28 having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the plate 26. Extending ybetween the plate 26 and the annular flange 28 are spaced pumping blades 30 which are utilized for purposes to be discussed below. The plate 26 is positioned midway along the length of the extension 24.

Near the end of the extension 24 opposite from the shaft 14, suitable `webs 32 are provided integral with the extension 24. A plurality of holes 34 and 36 pass through -the Webs 32. The webs 32 are part of 'an eliminator or separator 38 which is formed of a conical section 40 secured to the webs 32 having a closed flat end 42 at the small end of the conical section. The conical section 40 being integral with the shaft 14 through webs 32, extension 24, and enlarged portion 18 will rotate therewith. This is also true of plate 26 and annular an'ge 28, the ange 28 being rotated due to its integral connection to the plate 26 through pumping blades 30.

The annular ange 28 is an integral extension of a second conical section 44 parallel -to and spaced from the conical section 40 so as to form a passageway 46 between the inner surface of the second conical section 44 and the outer surface of the rst conical section 40.

A second annular ange 47 is provided integral with the second conical section 44 and parallel -to the first annular ange 28 centrally of the conical section 44. A third lannular flange 48 is additionally provided spaced from the second annular flange 47 and connected thereto by means of pumping blades A50. The annular flanges 48, 47 and 28 and the annular plate 26 have approximately the same diameter.

The third annula-r ange 48 is integral with a third conical section 52 which rotates about the same axis as conical sections 44 and 4t). The third conical section 52 is slightly larger than the second conical section 44 so as to provide a passageway 56 between the inner surface of the third conical section 52 and the outer surface of the second conical section 44. For purposes of clarity, the second conical section 44 will hereinafter be termed a phase barrier. The reason for this terminology will be clearer when the operation of the compression distillation apparatus is discussed below.

A fourth annular flange 54 is provided adjacent to the small diameter end of the third conical section 52. This annular ange 54 is spaced from and parallel to a fth annular ange 58 integral with the small diameter end of the second conical section 44. The fourth and fth annular flanges 54 and 58 have the same outer diameter. Since the second and third conical sections 44 and 52 are rotating, their associated annular flanges 54 and 58 will also rotate.

The second conical section 44 has a lcylindrical extension 60 at the small diameter end thereof. The extension 60 has pumping blades 62 integral therewith at the end thereof. This tubular extension 60 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 64 which are placed between a race 68 integral with the tubular extension 60 and an outer race 66 mounted on the housing 12.

Spaced from the bearing race 66 is a suitable inlet conduit 70 leading to the pumping blades 62 mounted within a suitable pump housing portion 72 of the housing 12.

The pump housing portion 72 includes the face plate 74 of the housing 12, the face plate 74 being removable for cleaning of the -distillation apparatus. Additionally, the face plate 74 has secured thereto a suitable conduit 76 leading from the pump housing portion 72 to an inlet conduit 78 having an axis in line with the tubular extension 60. The outer diameter of the inlet conduit 78 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular extension 60 so that the tubular extension 60 can rotate with respect to the stationary inlet conduit 78. Along the inner surface of inlet conduit 78 is placed a suitable electric heating unit 80 which is connected through suitable conductors 82 to a source of electrical current so as to heat the inner surface of the inlet conduit 78. Rotary seals 84 are also provided between the outer surface of the inlet conduit 78 and the inner surface of the extension 60.

The pump inlet conduit 70 is connected through a suitable waste line 86 to a waste reservoir 88. It is through this waste line 86 that human wastes are introduced into the compression distillation apparatus.

Between the plate 26, the first annular flange 28, the pump blades 30 and the housing 12, there is formed a liquor collecting chamber 90. The liquor collecting charnber 90 has an outlet conduit 92 through which the liquor is returned to the waste reservoir 88. The liquor collecting chamber 90 is sealed by rotary seals 94 and 96 between the outer surfaces of plate 26 and flange 28 and the'housing 12. The liquor collector conduit 92 is connected through a liquor return line 98 to the waste reservoir 8S. Through this line passes the liquid droplets which have been separated from the water vapor and which will be returned to be redistilled within the apparatus 10.

The compressor chamber 22 has a water vapor outlet conduit 100 which connect-s through a water vapor line 102 to an inlet conduit 104 adjacent a water vapor chamber 106. The chamber 106 is formed between the housing 12 and the fourth and fifth annular flanges 54 and 58. The fourth and fifth annular flanges 54 and 58 being rotatable are suitably sealed by rotary seals 108 and 110 respectively to the housing 12.

A distillate collector chamber 112 is formed between the second and third annular flanges 47 and ,48 and the housing 12. The second and third annular flanges 47 and 48 are suitably sealed from the housing 12 by rotatable seals 116 and 114 respectively. The distillate collector chamber 112 has an outlet conduit 118 connected to a product recovery line 120 leading to a storage tank (not shown) for the water.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

In the beginning, human wastes are stored within the waste reservoir 8S on the space vehicle. In order to convert these wastes into potable water, the shaft 14 is driven from a suitable source of motive power and the heater 80 is energized through the wires 82 so as to heat the inlet conduit 78 to a temperature of approximately 80 F. By rotating the shaft 14, the pumping blades 62 are rotated to draw waste products from the reservoir 88 through the waste line 86 and conduit 70 into the pump chamber 72. The pumping blades 62 force the waste products into the stationary conduit 76. Waste products will not enter the space between pumping blades 62 and inlet conduit 76 as the centrifugal force of the blades will keep them out of this area. Additionally, any waste products which should enter and fall adjacent the outer surface of the inlet conduit 78 will be prevented from further movement by the rotating seals 84.

As the waste products pass through the conduit 76, they enter the inlet conduit 78 and are heated by the heater 80. The heater 80 partially vaporizes the waste products by raising them to a temperature of at least 80 F.

The resultant mixture of vapor and liquor is forced against the baille plate 42 of the eliminator 38. This prevents any laminar flow of liquids and vapors and allows them to be acted upon by the centrifugal force of the eliminator 38 and second conical section 44. The mixture of liquid and vapor passes through the passageway 46 between the outer surface of the first conical section 40 and the inner surface of the second conical section 44.

As the liquor and vapor are being forced outwardly by centrifugal force, they will move up the conical surface. However, the liquor having a greater mass than the mass of the water vapor will be thrown closer to the inner surface of the second conical section 44 than the water vapor. Thus, two layers of fluid will pass through the passageway 46. The outer layer will be liquor and the inner layer will be water vapor.

As these two layers reach the outer diameter of the first conical section 40, the water vapor layer loses the surface on which it was moving, i.e. the outer surface of conical section 40. Therefore, `its laminar flow is disrupted. At this point, the water vapor is drawn through the holes 34 in the webs 32. This occurs due to the vacuum created by the compressor blades 20 drawing the vapor through the tubular extension 24 of the shaft 14.

The liquor, however, flows along the inner surface of the second conical section 44 by centrifugal force, and is forced through the pumping blades 30 into the liquor collector chamber 90. Thus, the pumping blades 30 raise the pressure of the liquor to an amount greater than atmospheric pressure. Thus, the liquor can be forced through the liquor outlet conduit 92 and liquor line 98 back into the waste reservoir 88. It will then be retransmitted through the inlet waste line 86 to the apparatus 10.

The water vapor passing through the interior of tubular extension 24 is compressed by the compressor blades 20 in the housing 22 so that its pres-sure is increased and is thusforced through compressor outlet conduit and water vapor line 102 into chamber 106 through its associated inlet conduit 104. The water vapor as it enters inlet conduit 104 is still under pressure. Thus, it is forced into the sparc-e between fourth and fifth flanges 54 and 58 into cooling passageway 56. The vapor as it passes through the passageway 56 is cooled by the phase barrier 44. Phase barrier 44 is at the temperature of the liquor passing over its inner surface. As the water vapor passes over the outer surface of the phase barrier 44, its temperature is lowered to the temperature of the liquor, thus condensing it. The condensed water is then forced up the phase barrier 44 by centrifugal force. The passageway S6 is small enough so that all of the water vapor is so condensed. This resultant distillate is pressurized by the pumping blades 50 and forced into the chamber 112. From the chamber 112, the water is fed through the outlet conduit 118 and distillate line 120 into a suitable tank. Since the pumping blades force the water to a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the water will continuously flow into a storage tank.

It will thus be noted that in no part of the apparatus 10 is the force of gravity utilized. Rather, it is expected that this system will ope-rate under conditions of zero gravity. The water vapor and liquor are separated by centrifugal force. The liquor is forced into the waste reservoir by pumping blades 30. The water vapor is drawn by compressor blades 20 and forced into the chamber 106. The condensed water is moved along phase barrier 44 by the centrifugal force of the phase barrier. Additionally, this water is forced by the pumping blades 50 into its storage tank. Even the inlet waste is drawn into the device 10 by a suitable pumping blade assembly 62. All of the power to Ithe system is derived from the shaft 14.

The heating of the inlet conduit 78 by heater 80 is only necessary until the waste approaches the desired temperature of 80 F. Once this occurs, the system may be continuously run while the power to the heater 80 is cut oif. Once some distilling takes place, the system will be self-regenerative as the heat lost from one portion of the system will be transferred to another part of the system.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. Distillation apparatus operative under zero gravity conditions comprising a hollow stationary housing, first pumping means for pumping liquid into said housing, a rotary baille, said pumping means adapted to force the liquid against said baille, ilrst and second conical surfaces rotatably mounted about the same axis, said second conical surface being larger than said first conical surface to form a conical passageway between said iirst and second conical surfaces, said rotary baille being adapted to direct liquid impinging thereon to the small diameter end of said conical passageway, a liquid collector adjacent the large diameter end of said second conical surface to collect liquids centrifuged to the second conical surface, and a second pumping means located Within said rst conical surface for pumping water vapor adjacent said first conical surface to separate said water vapor from said liquid.

2. The distillation apparatus of claim 1 includi-ng means for heating the liquid before it reaches the rotary baille, said heating means being adapted to partially vaporize the liquid.

3. The distillation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said iirst pumping means, said second pumping means, said rotary baille and said iirst and second conical surfaces are mounted for rotation about the same shaft.

4. The distillation apparatus of claim 3 wherein said liquid collector includes compressor blades, said compressor blades being adapted to rotate at the same speed as said second conical surface, said iirst pumping means being adapted to pump liquid from a reservoir into said housing, said liquid collector being in communication with the reservoir whereby undistilled liquid can be pumped back into said housing.

5. The distillation apparatus of claim 1 including a third conical surface, said third conical surface being parallel to, slightly larger than and along the same axis as said second conical surface, a second passageway being formed between said third and said second conical surfaces, the temperature in said second passageway being substantially the ltemperature of said secondconical surface, said second pumping means being adapted to pump water vapor into said second passageway to condense the water vapor into water, said third conical surface being rotated at the same speed as said second conical surface.

6. The distillation apparatus of claim 5 including a water collector adjacent the large diameter end of said second conical passageway, said second pumping means being adapted to feed liquid into the small diameter end of said second conical passageway, said water collector including water pumping means for pumping water from said second conical passageway.

7. The distillation apparatus of claim 6 wherein said water pumping means includes pumping blades, said pumping blades being connected between said second and third conical surfaces and integral therewith.

8. The distillation apparatus of claim 6 including a drive shaft, said drive shaft being adapted to rotate said ilrst and second pumping means, said iirst, second and third conical surfaces, and said rotating baille.

9. The distillation apparatus of claim 8 including a conduit having a heated element adapted to be energized from a source of electrical energy, said heated conduit being adjacent said rotary baille so as to partially vaporize liquid passing therethrough prior to the impingement of the liquid on said rotary baille, said heated conduit being additionally operative to be de-energized after a `few cycles of operation of said distillation apparatus.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 463,466 ll/l89l Theisen 159-6 688,546 12/1901 Ramstedt 159-6 X 2,169,601 8/1939 CorneliusI 159-6 X 2,734,023 2/1956 Hickman 202-236 X 3,092,180 6/1963 Dahlgren 159-6 X 3,200,050 8/1965 Hogan 202-176 NORMAL YUDKOFF, Primary Examiner.

J. B. DONIHEE, Assistant Examiner'. 

1. DISTILLATION APPARATUS OPERATIVE UNDER ZERO GRAVITY CONDITIONS COMPRISING A HOLLOW STATIONARY HOUSING, FIRST PUMPING MEANS FOR PUMPING LIQUID INTO SAID HOUSING, A ROTARY BAFFLE, SAID PUMPING MEANS ADAPTED TO FORCE THE LIQUID AGAINST SAID BAFFLE, FIRST AND SECOND CONICAL SURFACES ROTATABLY MOUNTED ABOUT THE SAME AXIS, AND SECOND CONICAL SURFACE BEING LARGER THAN SAID FIRST CONICAL SURFACE TO FORM A CONICAL PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONICAL SURFACES, SAID ROTARY BAFFLE BEING ADAPTED TO DIRECT LIQUID IMPINGING THEREON TO THE SMALL DIAMETER END OF SAID CONICAL PASSAGEWAY, A LIQUID COLLECTOR ADJACENT THE LARGE DIAMETER END OF SAID SECOND CONICAL SURFACE TO COLLECT LIQUIDS CENTRIFUGED TO THE SECOND 